Stuffed toy

ABSTRACT

A stuffed toy is disclosed that provides a user with a storage pouch. For example, the stuffed toy may comprise a pouch located near the abdomen of the stuffed toy and this pouch may further comprise a locking opening. A user may then store toys or other objects in the pouch securely.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/905,510 entitled “Stuffed Toy With Locking Pouch” and filed on Mar. 7, 2007 which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to children entertainment devices, and more particularly, to children entertainment devices such as stuffed toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of stuffed toys has long been known to the prior art. Typically, stuffed toys take the form of a plush toy in the shape of an animal such as a bear. However, stuffed toys also come in numerous different shapes and forms, like aliens and imaginary characters. Additionally, most often, children are the primary users of stuffed toys; however, stuffed toys are also frequently used by both young adults and adults.

In general, stuffed toys are most often used as play dolls and companions. However, they can often be used as decorative items as well as collector items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a stuffed toy with an integrated pouch. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stuffed toy is configured such that an integrated pouch is located proximate an abdomen of the stuffed toy. Furthermore, the opening of the pouch preferably comprises a closure mechanism and a locking mechanism.

Subsequently, the pouch may be filled with items and locked by a user. For example, the stuffed toy may comprise a zipper end with overlapping loops. Thus, a user may insert a closing loop lock through the overlapping loops, thereby locking the pouch of the stuffed toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional aspects of the present invention will become evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and:

FIG. 1 a is an external front view of an exemplary loop embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a close-up external side view of an exemplary loop mechanism;

FIG. 2 a is an external front view of an exemplary embodiment comprising a fastening mechanism;

FIG. 2 b is a close up external perspective view of an exemplary comprising a fastening mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an external front view of an exemplary embodiment comprising a second and third toy; and,

FIG. 4 is an external front view of an exemplary embodiment comprising a tactile sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions are of preferred exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way.

Rather the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein.

Generally, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stuffed toy is provided comprising a pouch and a locking mechanism. The stuffed toy is suitably configured to make the secure storing of items within the stuffed toy possible. For example, the stuffed toy may comprise a pouch with a closure mechanism further comprising overlapping loops proximate a zipper end. A user may then insert a closing loop lock through the overlapping loops, thereby locking the pouch of the stuffed toy.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism may also be fully integrated with the stuffed toy. For example, the stuffed toy may comprise a key-locking fastening mechanism that locks a zipper end in place in order to lock the pouch closed.

In accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the stuffed toy may comprise a sensor and a stimulus generator such that a stimulus may be generated when an object or person is near or touching the pouch. For example, the stuffed toy may comprise a sensor near the pouch such that a stimulus is generated when an object touches the sensor.

Thus, with reference to FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stuffed toy 10 is shown. In accordance with the present exemplary embodiment, stuffed toy 10 is a stuffed bear. However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments, the size and shape of stuffed toy 10 may vary.

Moreover, stuffed toy 10 may comprise various other stuffed toy configurations known or not yet know to the prior art. Additionally, in accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, stuffed toy 10 is made of soft cloth with synthetic fur. However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments, stuffed toy 10 may be substituted with alternative materials and combinations of materials including hairless cloths, natural fibers and hairs, composites, biodegradable materials, and the like.

Stuffed toy 10 comprises a pouch 20. In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, pouch 20 is preferably located proximate an abdomen of stuffed toy 10. This pouch location is preferred as it is considered the most natural and also mimics the placement of a kangaroo pouch. Additionally, pouch 20 preferably comprises a horizontal opening 21 and a lining so that items placed in pouch 20 are contained securely.

Stuffed toy 10 further comprises a closure mechanism 30 located proximate opening 21. Closure mechanism 30 preferably runs the length of opening 21 so as to fully close opening 21. In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment closure mechanism 30 is a standard, interlocking track zipper. However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments of the present invention, closure mechanism 30 may comprise other zipper and non-zipper configurations known or not yet know to the prior art. Additionally, stuffed toy 10 may comprise a lip proximate closure mechanism 30 to make closure mechanism 30 less visible.

Stuffed toy 10 also comprises a locking mechanism 40 located proximate an end of opening 21. Locking mechanism 40 is configured to lock a zipper connector 31 in place at an end of closure mechanism 30, thereby locking opening 21 to pouch 20 closed. In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, locking mechanism 40 is configured to comprise a first loop 41, a second loop 42, and a lock 43. In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, lock 43 is configured to be a removable closing loop lock with a combination dial (e.g., padlock). However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments lock 43 may comprise alternate locking configurations, such as key locks, electronic locks, and the like. Furthermore, closure mechanism 30 and locking mechanism 40 may comprise other configurations known or not yet known to the prior art. For example, closure mechanism 30 may not have a zipper and may instead comprise a hanging flap over opening 21. Thus, the hanging flap may be locked in place over opening 21 with a locking-button locking mechanism 40 affixing the flap to the body of stuffed toy 10, thereby locking pouch 20 shut. Additionally, the size, shape, and material of pouch 20, closure mechanism 30, and locking mechanism 40 may as well vary. For example, pouch 20 may comprise multiple compartments within opening 21.

Thus, locking mechanism 40 suitably locks opening 21 to pouch 20. In use, a user may insert items in pouch 20 and pull zipper connector 31 the length of closure mechanism 30 so that first loop 41 and second loop 42 overlap. A user may then insert loop lock 43 into the overlapping loops created by first loop 41 and second loop 42, locking connector 31 in place. As a result, the inserted items are securely locked within pouch 20. If a user later wishes to open pouch 20, the user may unlock and remove lock 43 from the overlapping loops created by first loop 41 and second loop 42. Then, connector 31 may be moved freely to open closure mechanism 30 and open pouch 20 via opening 21.

Now with reference to FIG. 2 a and 2 b, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is presented. In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, locking mechanism 40 is configured to be fully integrated with stuffed toy 10. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention locking mechanism 40 is integrated with the stuffed animal 10 at an end of closure mechanism 30. In this manner, integrated locking mechanism 40 may lock closure mechanism 30 by locking zipper connector 31 in place with closure mechanism 30 closed. However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments of the present invention, locking mechanism 40 may be integrated with zipper connector 31.

Thereby, zipper connector 31 may be locked in a position on zipper closure mechanism 30, allowing pouch 20 to be locked.

Locking mechanism 40 is configured to comprise a fastening mechanism 44 and a controller 45. Furthermore, controller 45 is configured to control locking mechanism 40 via fastening mechanism 44. In accordance with the present exemplary embodiment, fastening mechanism 44 is configured to be a lever mechanism and controller 45 is configured to be key mechanism. However, in accordance with various alternate embodiments fastening mechanism 44 and controller 45 may comprise various other configurations known or not yet known. For example, fastening mechanism 44 may comprise rotary locks, slide locks, or magnetic locks. Additionally, controller 45 may comprise combination systems and electronic lock configurations as well as other configurations known or not yet known.

In use, a user pulls zipper connector 31 towards fastening mechanism 44. Fastening mechanism 44 then locks connector 31 in place by connecting with first loop 41. The user may then unlock connector 31 by using a key 46 with controller 45 and releasing fastening mechanism 44. Additionally, preferably key 46 further comprises a bracelet 47 so that a user may keep key 46 close to them when pouch 20 is locked.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment comprising a second stuffed toy 11 and third toy 12 is shown. In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, stuffed toy 10 is configured to comprise a distance sensor 51 and second stuffed toy 11 is configured to comprise a distance signaler 52. For example, stuffed toy 10 may comprise an RFID processor and second stuffed toy 11 may comprise an RFID tag. In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, stuffed toy 10 may comprise a magnetic field sensor and second stuffed toy 11 may comprise a magnet. Furthermore, distance sensor 10 and distance signaler 52 may comprise various other configurations for sensing a distance between stuffed toy 10 and second stuffed toy 11 that are known or not yet know to the prior art.

Furthermore, stuffed toy 10 comprises a stimulus generator 53. Stimulus generator 53 is preferably linked with distance sensor 51 to create a stimulus or set of stimuli when a distance 60 is too great or too small. For example, stimulus generator 53 may create sound, movement (e.g., mouth opening and closing), vibration, light, or alternate stimulus or combination of stimuli. Additionally, stimulus created by stimulus generator 53 may be configured to produce stimulus varied by distance 60 or comprise other stimulus configurations known or not yet known.

In accordance with various alternate embodiments, second stuffed toy 11 may comprise distance sensor 51 and stimulus generator 53 or both stuffed toy 10 and second stuffed toy 11 may comprise distance sensors 51 and stimulus generators 53. For example, stuffed toy 10 and second stuffed toy 11 may be configured to “talk” to each other when distance 60 is small and the toys are close to each other and may further be configured to “yell” for each other when distance 60 is great and the toys are far from each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the present embodiment, stuffed toy 10 is configured to comprise a zipper-less pouch 20 and second stuffed toy 11 is configured to be able to fit in pouch 20. Furthermore, distance sensor 51 is preferably located proximate pouch 20 so that stuffed toy 10 may sense distance relative pouch 20. However, in accordance with alternate embodiments, sensor 51 may be located elsewhere on stuffed toy 10. Additionally, pouch 20 may be absent from stuffed toy 10 as well as from second stuffed toy 11. Furthermore, the size, shape, and number of second stuffed toy 11 may as well vary.

In accordance with another aspect of the present embodiment, stuffed toy 10 is configured to work with a toy 12. For example, toy 12 may be plastic and stuffed toy 10 may comprise distance sensor 51 and toy 12 may comprise distance signaler 52. Then, stuffed toy 10 may recognize toy 12 via distance signaler 52 (e.g., unique RFID tag) and produce stimuli via stimulus generator 53 when toy 12 is a predetermined distance away. Additionally, stuffed toy 10 may create a supplementary stimulus when both second stuffed toy 11 and toy 12 are a predetermined distance away. Similarly, a variety of stimuli effects may be configured and programmed for multiple such toys sensing and reacting to various position combinations and relative distances between each other.

Additionally, toy 12 may be configured to comprise key 46 or bracelet 47. In this manner, key 46 or bracelet 47 may be configured to comprise distance signaler 52 and similarly trigger stimulus generator 53 to produce stimulus at a predetermined distance. Furthermore, stimulus generator 53 may be configured to generate different stimulus when key 46 or bracelet 47 is nearby versus when they are far away, thereby allowing stuffed toy 10 to recognize and behave differently for an “owner” of toy 12.

Toy 12 may also be configured to comprise other configurations known and not yet know. For example, toy 12 may be configured to be a locket, ring, or key chain. Furthermore, stimulus generator 53 may be configured to be triggered by a sensor 54 (e.g., motion sensor, audio sensor, tactile sensor, etc.) and stimulus generator 53 may be further configured to generate varied stimulus depending on the distance of toy 12 when sensor 54 is triggered. For example, stimulus generator 53 may be configured to produce a “friendly” set of stimuli when a user with toy 12 triggers sensor 54 and an “unfriendly” set of stimuli when a user without toy 12 triggers sensor 54.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In accordance with the current embodiment of the present invention, stuffed toy 10 may comprise sensor 54 proximate pouch 20 or locking mechanism 40 to activate when an object is placed proximate pouch 20 or locking mechanism 40. For example, stuffed toy 10 may comprise a sensor 54 comprising a tactile sensor configuration proximate pouch 20 or locking mechanism 40. Sensor 54 may comprise a tactile sensor configuration such as push buttons, sensor “skin”, suspended spring motion detectors, or other sensor configurations known or not yet known for sensing touch from a person or object. Furthermore, sensor 54 may comprise non-tactile sensors such as audio sensors or other configurations known or not yet known. Additionally, sensor 54 may be linked with stimulus generator 53 to create a stimulus if triggered and, thereby, sensor 54 may suitably operate as an alarm system for pouch 20. Alternatively, via this configuration locking mechanism 40 or pouch 20 may create stimuli during normal use (e.g., use of key with lock, insertion of an object in pouch 20, removal of an object from pouch 20, etc.). Furthermore, sensor 54 may be deactivatable or programmable. Additionally, locking mechanism 40 may be absent from such configurations.

Thus, while the principles of the invention have been described in illustrative embodiments, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention in addition to those not specifically described may be varied and particularly adapted for a specific environment and operating requirement without departing from those principles. 

1. A stuffed toy comprising a pouch proximate an abdomen of said stuffed toy, wherein said pouch comprises a closure mechanism and wherein said closure mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism.
 2. The stuffed toy of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a key.
 3. The stuffed toy of claim 2, wherein said key comprises a bracelet.
 4. The stuffed toy of claim 2, wherein said stuffed toy comprises a distance signaler proximate said key.
 5. The stuffed toy of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a first loop and a second loop and said first loop and said second loop overlap.
 6. The stuffed toy of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is integrated with said stuffed toy.
 7. The stuffed toy of claim 6, wherein said closure mechanism comprises a zipper and said locking mechanism comprises a fastening mechanism.
 8. The stuffed toy of claim 6, wherein said closure mechanism comprises a zipper and a zipper connector and said locking mechanism is integrated with said zipper connector.
 9. The stuffed toy of claim 1, wherein said stuffed toy further comprises a sensor and a stimulus generator and wherein said stimulus generator produces a stimulus when said sensor is triggered.
 10. The stuffed toy of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises a tactile sensor.
 11. The stuffed toy of claim 1, wherein said stuffed toy further comprises a second stuffed toy and wherein said second stuffed toy is configured to fit in said pouch.
 12. A stuffed toy comprising a pouch proximate an abdomen of said stuffed toy wherein said stuffed toy further comprises a tactile sensor proximate said pouch.
 13. The stuffed toy of claim 12, wherein said stuffed toy further comprises a stimulus generator and said stimulus generator produces a stimulus when said tactile sensor is triggered.
 14. The stuffed toy of claim 13, wherein said stuffed toy further comprises a closure mechanism and wherein said closure mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism.
 15. A first stuffed toy comprising a distance sensor and a stimulus generator and a second toy comprising a distance signaler.
 16. The stuffed toy of claim 15, wherein said first stuffed toy further comprises a pouch proximate an abdomen of said stuffed toy.
 17. The stuffed toy of claim 16, wherein said pouch further comprises a locking mechanism.
 18. The stuffed toy of claim 15, wherein said first stuffed toy further comprises a sensor and when said sensor is triggered said stimulus generator produces a first stimulus when said second toy is located less than a predetermined distance from said first stuffed toy.
 19. The stuffed toy of claim 18, wherein said first toy produces a second stimulus when said sensor is triggered when said second toy is located more than said predetermined distance from said first stuffed toy.
 20. The stuffed toy of claim 15, wherein said first toy produces a stimulus when said second toy is located a predetermined distance from said first stuffed toy.
 21. The stuffed toy of claim 20, wherein said first toy produces a second stimulus when said second toy and a third toy are located a second predetermined distance from said first stuffed toy.
 22. The stuffed toy of claim 15, wherein said second toy comprises a stimulus generator and said second toy produces a stimulus when said second toy is located a predetermined distance from said first stuffed toy. 